Last update - 00:00 12/03/2007
Dan Halutz and Bank Leumi reach settlement over leak of stock sale
By Shlomi Sheffer
Former Israel Defense Forces chief of staff Dan Halutz reached a compromise on Monday with the management of Bank Leumi to compensate Halutz for leaking to the press that he sold his stock portfolio hours after two IDF soldiers were kidnapped near the border with Lebanon on July 12th.
In an official statement, the bank announced that as a result of the deal reached with Halutz, they will donate NIS 150,000 to an organization or charity of his choosing.
Bank officials also expressed regret over the leak and the damage it caused Halutz.
Halutz's attorney contacted the management of Bank Leumi a few weeks ago and requested compensation of NIS 650,000 for the leak, which was rejected outright by Bank Leumi, as was a later request for NIS 450,000.
Halutz was adamant that the leak caused him great personal anguish and seriously damaged his image in the public, igniting the harsh public criticism that was leveled against him.